The Outskirter's Secret

Nomad life is rough
warring tribes, nasty beasties
the biggest perk: goats.

This is indeed better than the first one: slightly less unexpected violence, much better dialogue and more explanation. Having said that, it still seems on the slow side - there is a lot of wandering between the revelations. I am also now slightly concerned that the unfinished series is 4 books long without a conclusion in sight (book 4 was published 20 years ago!). This is giving GRRM vibes.

Still, the hook is enough to make me to add book 3 to my TBR. Fingers crossed book 5 makes an appearance by the time I get to book 4...

I enjoyed this second book in the Steerswoman series. It is challenging to read them. This book continues and expands the practice of showing ordinary lives. These books are not about leading up to action payoffs every few chapters. Instead these books are written with the flow of life that seems real. A person lives life with everyday events happening, and once in a while sudden violence might happen which is a surprising interruption.

Rowan is continuing her investigation of the fallen guidestar. I am learning more about day-to-day life in an outskirter camp than I ever wanted to know.

I most enjoy learning about the Face people.

The author is frustrating me by revealing no more about the mysteries of the Guidestars and the Wizards to us readers than she reveals to the steerswoman. So we must try to put together the mystery at the same speed as the characters in the story. Very frustrating, but probably a wise writing choice.

I want to warn potential readers. There are pages upon pages of information about the life and practices of the nomadic goat herders in the Outback and the Face. Be prepared.